AnyDocToPdf is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser extension which causes several changes on the browser and system it is installed on. If you somehow have installed the PUP, such as in a bundled package or willingly via Chrome Web Store (believing it was useful), you will notice that your default search engine is changed to Freehdsearch.com. So, how are AnyDocToPdf and Freehdsearch.com related to one another?
In fact, potentially unwanted programs often partner with dubious search engines, and AnyDocToPdf may not be the only PUP promoting it.
This article will provide you with further details and show you how to remove the AnyDocToPdf PUP and the Freehdsearch.com search engine from your browser.
Threat Summary
| Name | AnyDocToPdf |
| Type | Redirect, PUP, Browser Extension |
| Short Description | A browser extension which is promoted as useful but is in fact associated with intrusive, unwanted behavior. |
| Symptoms | A search engine with questionable reputation that loads in your browser without your permission. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AnyDocToPdf. |
AnyDocToPdf – More Information
In most cases, potentially unwanted programs such as AnyDocToPdf are spread with the help of shady techniques like bundling. These techniques hide the configuration files of unwanted programs which makes it harder for you to prevent their installation. In addition to bundling, corrupted web pages and fake software update notifications may have been used.
If you don’t remember downloading AnyDocToPdf as a browser extension from Chrome Web Store or elsewhere, the program may have entered your computer in a bundled freeware package. As a result of it, your default search engine may have been changed to Freehdsearch.com, even though there is not way to tell if this is the only intrusive search engine used by the PUP.
In the majority of cases, a PUP lands on a computer by being part of a software bundle. This means you might have installed it along with any desired and supposedly useful third-party program. The moment of its installation could have been missed easily. Also note that popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Safari could be affected by AnyDocToPdf and its related redirects.
What about the consequences of having AnyDocToPdf installed on your browser? The very first issue that users report having is the change of their default search engines to third party engines, such as Freehdsearch.com. Other issues include experiencing constant redirects to unwanted pages and the display of intrusive advertisements.
Being a PUP, AnyDocToPdf may have been spying on your online activities since its first access to your browser. By dropping and activating different types of tracking technologies on your device, the browser extension and the search engine it promotes could obtain plenty of details about your browsing behavior, such as:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
How to Remove AnyDocToPdf
In order to remove AnyDocToPdf and prevent any redirects stemming from it, along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. In the guide below you will find all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of PUPs, we recommend you to combine the steps.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove AnyDocToPdf from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of AnyDocToPdf from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove AnyDocToPdf from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase AnyDocToPdf from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall AnyDocToPdf from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove AnyDocToPdf from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate AnyDocToPdf from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove AnyDocToPdf from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove AnyDocToPdf
Step 2: Uninstall AnyDocToPdf and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by AnyDocToPdf on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by AnyDocToPdf there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of AnyDocToPdf from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall AnyDocToPdf and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove AnyDocToPdf via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove AnyDocToPdf from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase AnyDocToPdf from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall AnyDocToPdf from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove AnyDocToPdf from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the AnyDocToPdf will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate AnyDocToPdf from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
